St Patrick 3

Msida SJ 2

St Patrick: F. Azzopardi, M. Pullicicno, R. Cassar, S. Zerafa, M. Fleri Soler, B. Fenech (D. Gauci), G. Failla (M. Zerafa), S. Costa Brasilino (M. Tanti), P. Chizoba Anizoba, C.Dozie, T. Caruana

Msida SJ: M. Vallastro (G. Mifsud), J. Mifsud, C. Micallef, P. Guia, D. Theuma, F. Cauchi (T. Farrugia), M.Porceddu, P. Fenech (J. Zammit), D. Cachia, K. Sammut, D. Nwoke

Referee: A. M. Sant asst refs: K. Borg, Ms E. Farrugia 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: M. Pullicino, M. Tanti (2), M. Porceddu (2) 1 pen

Yellow cards: M. Pullicino, S. Zerafa, G. Failla, P. Guia, D. Gauci, R. Cassar

Red card: P. Giuia

TMI top three: 1. T. Caruana 2. P. Chizoba Anizoba 3. M. Porceddu

SILVIO VELLA

A second half rally, which saw them temporarily erase a two-goal deficit and draw level, was not enough for Msida St Joseph to avoid defeat at the hands of a highly charged St Patrick side, who scored a late winner, after Msida were reduced to ten men, to obtain their second consecutive win and move out of bottom place, handing the wooden spoon to Lija Athletic.

St Patrick’s hero yesterday was second half substitute Mark Tanti who scored a brace, but it was a collective effort, as the Saints never ceased running, with self belief in their capabilities. It was perhaps one of their finest performances so far this season.

The tone of this entertaining game, which had a female, Esther Farrugia as one of the assistant referees for the first time in the Premier League, was set in the second half, producing four goals as well as all the excitement.

Msida were a depleted side, bereft of the three suspended key players Borg, Boni and Adrian Farrugia besides the injured midfielder Bajada. There was a debut start for their new signing from Naxxar, Paul Fenech, who played for 55 minutes before making way for substitute Johan Zammit.

Desperately in dire need of points, Msida had the more aggressive start against an organised St Patrick side in sound mood after their win against Lija Athletic in the previous outing. Sammut’s effort after four minutes was blocked inside the Saints area.

Theuma headed Porceddu’s free-kick from the left against the bar and an Nwoke solo effort went wide.

St Patrick started to venture out of their defensive shell midway through the half. Chizoba Anizoba powered his way on the right flank to earn his side a corner as Msida’s early bright spell was halted.

Porceddu tested St Patrick’s keeper Azzopardi with a low drive. Four minutes before the break, St Patrick broke the deadlock. Failla played the ball wide on the left for Mark Pullicino, who might have controlled the ball partially with his hand before unleashing a superb left foot volley at the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Vallastro stranded.

St Patrick were forced to substitute the injured Costa Brasilino on the hour and after a Sammut firm header on Nwoke’s cross was saved by the keeper, substitute Mark Tanti doubled the lead for the Saints when he kept his cool on Caruana’s low cross to beat Vallastro with a low drive at the far post.

Two goals down, Msida were forced to spark an intense response, especially after St Patrick took a laid back approach. They raked in numerous crosses inside their opponents’ area, after the inclusion of the towering Zammit in their attack. And in a ten minute spell, they managed to level matters. On 74 minutes the Saints defence failed to clear an Msida ball inside the area, Micallef was allowed to cross from the right and Manrico Porceddu put his head to it to reduce the arrears.

Msida were boosted by that goal. A Porceddu free-kick was headed over the bar by Zammit and then keeper Azzopardi had to rush out of his line to collect a dangerous loose ball before Porceddu could connect.

On 84 minutes, keeper Azzopardi turned Nwoke’s header into a corner and from the ensuing Porceddu flag kick, Guia was felled inside the area when he came into contact with Fleri Soler. Although a seemingly harsh decision, Manrico Porceddu beat Azzopardi from the penalty spot after his first goal was retaken for some infringement to equalise.

There was still time for more excitement though as three minutes from time Msida’s Giua was sent off for a second yellow card, after simulation inside the St Patrick area.

The Saints soon capitalised on their numerical superiority and on the stroke of time notched a winner. The industrious Caruana ran through the Msida defence, crossed low for the advancing Mark Tanti to shoot the ball home from close range.

Porceddu went close again for Msida in added time but missed on obtaining a dramatic equaliser when he skied his effort in front of goal.

Time is running out for Msida and now every match is a must-win game if they are to stand any chance of avoiding the Relegation Pool.